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      What really happened in Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s secret sparring session for Gypsy King’s Rolex

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has recalled what happened during his secret sparring session with rival Tyson Fury.AJ took on the Gypsy King when he was just 20-years-old at Finchley Boxing Club in Barnet.Anthony Joshua has recalled his secret sparring session with Tyson FuryFury had not long been a professional when he put his Rolex on the lineCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdAJ was still an amateur when he fought FuryCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdFury had been professional for two years at the time and was so confident in his ability that he put his Rolex watch on the line for a sparring session.Despite his amateur status, Joshua responded and called the heavyweight out for a fight.Recalling the little-known session on the This Life of Mine podcast, AJ told James Cordon: “So this guy called Tyson Fury, who I have no idea who he is, comes down the gym.”And word on the streets is that Tyson said: ‘If anyone knocks me out, I’m the best heavyweight. If anyone knocks me out they get my Rolex watch.’Read More in Sport”Hey, I was looking at the cash. I’m saying a Rolex, yeah. I said, let’s go. Bell goes, we go at it, we go at it. I think we sparred about three or four rounds.”Even Tyson, actually, he done an interview promoting the fight. ‘There’s this kid called Anthony Joshua, I sparred him down at Finchley Boxing Club. I’ll tell you what, he’s s**t hot. I believe he’s going to go on and do great things. He hit me with a shot that nearly took my head off.’ And this and that.”It’s not clear if AJ took Fury’s Rolex from him.The two heavyweights are fierce rivals now, but at the time Fury heaped praise on Joshua.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollowing the fight, the Gypsy King said: “He came at me for three rounds and he gave me a beating. I mean, I’m not going to deny it. For three rounds I thought, oh my God, how much is killing me?”But the kid’s only 20, for him to put up a good performance like that against a top prospect in me, I think he’s one for the future.”Eddie Hearn reveals bad boy version of Anthony Joshua is back ahead of Daniel Dubois fight and comments on Carl Froch feudBoxing fans are now desperate to see the two Brits fight with a title rather than a Rolex on the line.They have come close to negotiating terms for a bout in recent years, but it is yet to come to fruition.The two have become bitter rivals as a result.AJ concluded: “After that, the praise stopped because he realised I was on his coattails!”So I started chasing him up the division. And you know, that fight is one that has never been so close.” More

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      My wife stole all my boxing world championship belts from win over Anthony Joshua… she wiped me out, claims Ruiz Jr

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      ANDY RUIZ JR has claimed his ex-wife stole his world championship belts following their split.The former heavyweight champion realised his dream in 2019 when he stunned Anthony Joshua in New York, dropping him four times on his way to one of the all-time great upsets.Andy Ruiz Jr became unified heavyweight champion by beating Anthony JoshuaCredit: ReutersHe claimed the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO belts in June 2019Credit: ReutersHe recently split from ex-wife Julia Lemus – who reportedly had a restraining order sanctioned against himCredit: Getty – ContributorRuiz’s win saw him pick up the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles.An out-of-shape Ruiz then lost their rematch six months later as AJ outboxed him to earn redemption via split decision.And since then he has struggled to impress, scraping wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz before he drew with Jarrell Miller earlier this month.Ahead of his clash with Miller, Ruiz discussed the difficulties he has faced outside the ring in his personal life.READ MORE IN BOXINGThey included reportedly being given a restraining order against ex-wife Julia Lemus after allegations he pointed a gun at her and sexually assaulted her – accusations Ruiz denies.And he has now claimed the split with his wife also included her stealing his world title belts won against Joshua.Speaking to DAZN, he said: “I have a few [belts], but from my break-up and all that, they stole everything.”Almost $1 million worth of jewellery and my belts. My championship belts, she took that too.Most read in Boxing”I know for a fact because she did that restraining order for me to move out of my house that I bought, and all my belts were there, my jewellery.”She knew the combination to my safe and everything. So she literally wiped me out.What Anthony Joshua brutally told old rival Andy Ruiz Jr moments after Otto Wallin win”I didn’t care about the jewellery at that time. I was like, ‘You know what, forget that, it’s just material things’.”But the championship belts hurt me a lot.”Ruiz and Julia have two sons – Andy Ruiz III and Richie – and three daughters – Bella, Emily, and Andyliz.Ruiz and Julia have five children togetherCredit: Instagram/@jjulliea More

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      Who is boxer Ryan Rhodes and how is he connected to Tommy Fury?

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      FORMER British boxing champion Ryan Rhodes jumped to his daughter’s defence after rumours circulated about her and Tommy Fury.Since Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury split, speculation began to circulate about the paternity of Ryan Rhode’s grandchild. Former British champion was quick to take to social media to defend his daughter LissieCredit: Instagram @ryanrhodes26Who is Ryan Rhodes?Ryan Rhodes is a British former professional boxer.Born November 20, 1976 Rhodes took up boxing at a young age, training at Brendan Ingle’s gym in the Wincobank district of Sheffield.At the age of eleven Rhodes had his first amateur fight. By the age of 20, he defeated Sheffield boxer Paul “Silky” Jones that made him the youngest post-war holder of the super-welter British title. More from Sport He went on to win the belt outright in a record time of 90 days.Rhodes held the British super welterweight title twice, in 1996 and in 2008. He also held the EBU European super welterweight title from 2009 to 2010.After gaining an impressive total of 46 wins and just 6 loses throughout his boxing career, Rhodes announced his retirement on 4 September 2012.Most read in BoxingThe boxer is married to Danielle Rhodes for 22-years.The couple have two daughters, Lissie and Ellie.The former boxing campion is now a professional boxing coach and manager and is known to have links to the Fury family.He is head coach at Box Southpaw, and is friends with boxer Tommy Fury’s dad, John. He has previously been pictured with Tyson Fury.Boxer Ryan Rhodes is connected to the Fury familyCredit: Instagram @ryanrhodes26How is Ryan Rhodes related to Lissie?Lissie Olivia Rhodes is the daughter of Ryan Rhodes.Her Instagram gained over 2,000 new followers overnight after Lissie made her page public to quash growing speculation, denying claims that Tommy Fury was the father of her newborn child.These speculations come after former Love Island couple Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury ended their five year relationship with rumours of infidelity.It’s thought that Lissie and Tommy met in Dubai through their mutual family connections. Lissie Rhodes denies rumours of Tommy fathering her newborn babeCredit: instagram/@lissierhodesWhat has Ryan Rhodes said about the Tommy Fury cheating scandal?Dad Ryan Rhodes was quick to jump to his daughter’s defence as the rumours began to circulate. READ MORE SUN STORIESRhodes shared a sweet snap of the new parents on his Instagram Story confirming that his daughter and her partner were extremely happy in their new life as parents.Lissie’s mum, Danielle also took to social media to defend her daughter. More

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      Eddie Hearn reveals he’s keen to promote Olympics 2024 gender row boxer Imane Khelif following Paris gold

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      EDDIE HEARN has revealed he’s open to adding Imane Khelif to his Matchroom stable.The Algerian boxed her way to welterweight gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier this month, although her participation at the Games was mired in controversy.Imane Khelif won Olympic gold at welterweight at Paris 2024Credit: RexBut the Algerian’s participation at the Games was mired in a gender rowCredit: APMatchoom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn is willing to work with teh 25-year-oldCredit: GETTYKhelif, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting, allegedly failed a gender identity test conducted by the IBA in March 2023 – testing positive for male XY chromosomes.The Russian-backed organisation has refused to divulge the results of the test and put an end to the furore surrounding 25-year-old Khelif, who was born a biological female.Khelif will now be mulling over the possibility of turning pro, a journey Hearn is willing to facilitate – on one condition.When asked if he’d sign the Olympian, he told iFL TV: “Yes, if the facts were laid out.READ MORE ON IMANE KHELIF”If it was in a position where there is no reason why this individual shouldn’t compete as a female.”One, she is a talented fighter. “Two, commercially I think she has up to two Instagram million followers so the answer is yes.”There are probably facts that we don’t know around the situation and if they are true.Most read in BoxingThe IBA won’t share the alleged test results that discovered Imane Khelif had XY chromosomesCredit: Getty”If a fighter was deemed female with no physical advantages – again I haven’t seen anything, I have only seen people say ‘they have done this test’.”Do we get to see it? Are we just going to believe that narrative? Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit'”It’s not ever one that I’d go I’m not getting involved in this conversation.”Khelif was subjected to several libellous claims – some of which she plans to take to court – on social media after Italian Angela Carini quit their bout after a mere 46 seconds.Hearn said of the situation in Paris: “If there is an unfair physical advantage that the individual has, that is what has to be looked at.”But not by a rival organisation, or someone with an agenda. But if you are born a female and lived your whole life as a female it’s different.”I’m not going to say what is right or wrong, but the facts that I have seen lean me towards you have the right to compete as a female.Imane Khelif plans to take legal action against several high-profile figuresCredit: GETTY”So I don’t know. But also I will say this individual has competed on the circuit for years. It’s not like she’s dominated the scene, she’s lost many times.”Other fighters came out and said, ‘I’ve sparred her or beat her.’ I feel like the Italian was a put-up job.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because it wasn’t even really a huge shot, and this person has sparred her before.”But we need more information about it and a conversation about it.”Olympics gender controversyTHE International Olympic Committee (IOC) stirred up a huge controversy by clearing two women to box who had previously failed a gender test.Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, in March 2023.Lin Yu-ting was stripped of a bronze medal after failing a gender eligibility test.Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.Officials found tests showed they had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.The Russia-led International Boxing Association organised that event but is no longer recognised by the IOC.IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”The federation needs to make the rules to make sure that there is fairness but at the same time there is the ability for everyone to take part that wants to. That is a difficult balance.”In the end the experts for each sport are the people who work in that. If there is a big advantage that clearly is not acceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”Both Khelif and Lin competed at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Lin is a two-time winner at the Asian Women Amateur Boxing Championships.The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.The controversy follows the famous case of Caster Semenya.South African middle-distance runner Semenya has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than normal for women.She won gold in the 800m at London 2012 and Rio in 2016 but was unable to compete at Tokyo in 2021 after World Athletics brought in new rules independently of the IOC at the time. More

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      Pregnant Laura Woods reveals she was sent death threats after wading into Imane Khelif Olympic boxing gender row

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      LAURA Woods has revealed she was sent death threats after wading into the Imane Khelif Olympic boxing gender row.The TNT Sports host, 37, who recently announced she is expecting a baby with Love Island boyfriend Adam Collard, tweeted about an article in the Telegraph.TNT Sports TV presenter Laura Woods has revealed she was sent death threatsCredit: GettyGold medallist Algeria’s Imane Khelif poses on the podium during the medal ceremonyCredit: AFPKhelif faced criticism after beating Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 secondsShe replied, “Great article Oli” to a piece titled ‘Blinded by ideology: Inside boxing row that undermined IOC and tarnished Olympics’.Since the post, Woods said she has received “numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child”.She wrote on X: “Since I replied to this article I’ve had numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child.”Questions on my own gender (I’m pregnant so guess that clears that one up) calls for my employers to sack me, threats to my home.Read more Sports News”I’ve been called a racist, a bigot and a sexist as well as various insults – c*nt, sl*g etc.”I’ve also been asked why I haven’t raised any concerns on this topic before? See above for your answer.”Woods added: “When there are discrepancies with test results – which could impact the safety of another human being, in an environment that above all else should be fair – questions are quite rightly going to be asked.”The answers are still unclear, otherwise this topic would be closed.”Most read in BoxingKhelif won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg boxing contest after critics said her participation risked women’s safety.The Algerian was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit’But Khelif faced criticism on social media from a number of public figures saying she is male and should not be taking part.She has reportedly named Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuit – with her lawyer claiming Donald Trump’s tweets will also be probed.Khelif is understood to have filed a criminal complaint to French authorities.The complaint details alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against the Algerian boxer.CLEMMIE MOODIE Imane Khelif is world’s first fictional trans Olympian – those who labelled her ‘male’ were deeply irresponsible”IF it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck . . . then get it the duck out of the Olympic GamesMany, then, think boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting will waddle their way to podium glory next week.But how deeply sad that a global event with so, so many stories — ones of triumph, adversity, heartbreak and sheer, hard work against all odds — should focus on the back stories of these two individuals.Everyone has their opinion. And everyone is entitled to their opinion.But those with the loudest, people such as JK Rowling — who should really get back to Privet Drive and lay off some of the militant anti-trans stuff — need to be careful.When the author labelled the athletes “male”, she knew what she was doing: Stirring up her cauldron of hatred and winding up the ill-informed masses.It was deeply irresponsible.Because in Algeria, where Khelif is from, it is illegal to be gay, let alone trans, which, let’s face it, is what the boxer stands accused of being.In effect, she has become the world’s first fictional trans Olympian.But she isn’t transgender. And never has been.Because, as is the case so regularly these days, mis-information, conspiracy and gross exaggeration are rife.And how tragically horrific if those vociferous individuals claiming to be standing up for women should see two women subsequently killed by hate mobs.Where was JK’s outrage over the convicted Dutch male rapist Steven van de Velde being allowed to compete in the beach volleyball?Or where, if she’s so concerned about advantageous hormones, was her anger over China’s gold medal-winning 4x100m medley team, which featured two swimmers who previously returned positive doping tests?Yesterday, the Algerian athlete tore into the scrutiny of her gender as “harmful to human dignity”, begging people to “refrain from bullying”.And then the International Boxing Association, the body which originally claimed the pair had failed “eligibility tests” without even categorically explaining what these tests are, openly bullied her.The IBA, which has been banned from regulating Olympic boxing because of governance problems, a lack of financial transparency and many perceived instances of corruption, let its clearly mad Russian chief Umar Kremlev do the talking.Kremlev ranted, sensitively: “The tests show they were men. We don’t verify what they have between their legs. We don’t know if they were born like that or if some changes were made.”Very unhelpfully, the boxers themselves and their governing bodies are also refusing to say exactly what tests they had done. And in this, some blame lies with them.Do the pair have conditions such as Swyer Syndrome which means they have female reproductive organs but higher levels of testosterone? Are they intersex? How raised is their testosterone?Of course, they shouldn’t have to drop their shorts and show the world their genitalia.But they must display more transparency.The IOC’s ham-fisted handling of testing procedures also needs addressing.And if these women really do have a grossly unfair advantage, then this must be dealt with — and yes, perhaps they should be competing against men, albeit in a lighter weight category.After all, the hurt feelings of these athletes mustn’t triumph over common sense and the well-being of their XX-chromosomed counterparts.Safety must come first, for everyone.And that means no more rumour, no more conspiracy theories and no more wild conjecture. Just facts.Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi told Variety: “JK Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others.”Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.”The Parisian lawyer added: “If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”Harry Potter author Rowling slammed Khelif after her win over Italian boxer Angela Carini.Carini quit the round-of-16 bout just 46 seconds in – refusing to shake Khelif’s hand and claiming she had never been punched so hard.Rowling accused Khelif of being a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head”.READ MORE SUN STORIESTwitter and Tesla owner Musk shared a post about Khelif claiming “men don’t belong in women’s sports”.And Trump posted a snap of the Khelif-Carini fight with the caption: “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”Harry Potter author Rowling slammed KhelifCredit: GettyTwitter owner Elon Musk shared a post calling Khelif a manCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury makes heartfelt retirement admission ahead of Usyk rematch and admits he has ‘toxic relationship’ with boxing

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      TYSON FURY admits he doesn’t know if his “toxic relationship” with boxing will allow him to walk away from the sport.The Gypsy King, 36, has “retired” several times in recent years only to reverse his decision and return to the squared circle.Tyson Fury has won every belt going in the heavyweight divisionCredit: GETTYHis dream of becoming undisputed heavyweight champ was shattered by Oleksandr Usyk in MayCredit: GettyFury is out of his physical prime and his punch resistance isn’t what it once wasCredit: PAFury admits he’ll find it hard to walk away from the sport he loves so dearlyCredit: PABut with his physical prime well behind him and his punch resistance no longer what it once was, it’s clear and evident that Fury’s days in the sport are numbered.Hanging up his gloves and fully dedicating himself to his family of nine, however, will be just as difficult as any fight the Wythenshawe warrior has had in his professional career.He told Queensberry Promotions: “I’ve been in love with boxing for such a long time – from being a little boy.”And I’m probably at the end of my career in the next few years.READ MORE BOXING NEWS“It’s been a love-hate relationship. It’s been toxic at times. When it’s good, it’s very good, and when it’s bad, it’s very toxic.“So I’m in that relationship and I don’t just abandon things. “I try and make things work and that’s where we are at the minute.”We’ve been in this romantic relationship since I can remember, since I was a child, and now I am a fully grown adult with a family of my own.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdictHERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.ROUND 1Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9ROUND 2Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9ROUND 3Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9Round 4Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9Round 5Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9Round 6Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9Round 7Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shotUsyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9Round 8Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9Round 9Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8Round 10Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9Round 11A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9Round 12The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114″It’s like, ‘Do I abandon it, or do I not?’ I wanted to walk away a lot of times but it always drags me back.”Bar becoming the undisputed king of the heavyweights, which he failed to do in his Saudi showdown with Oleksandr Usyk in May, Fury has achieved it all. Oleksandr Usyk brutally calls out ‘Greedy Belly’ Tyson Fury after Gypsy King fires warning to Ukrainian ahead of rematchFighting keeps the dad-of-eight on the mental straight and narrow, although it’s become somewhat of a double-edged sword.“It’s like a massive drug and an addiction,” Fury admitted. “I know it’s an addiction and I’m an addictive person.”Boxing is an addiction; it’s not my best friend. It abuses me. When I come in this gym, it abuses my body, my mind [and] my soul.”But afterwards I feel like it takes me to ecstasy. The rush is unbelievable.”It gives me the biggest highs ever, but it also gives me the lowest lows as well.”Boxing is more addictive than any drug ever. Ever. You can’t let it go.”Fury’s dream of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis in 1999 was shattered in his Riyadh rumble with Usyk.The former unified champion suffered a split decision loss to the slick southpaw, whom he’ll renew his rivalry with on December 21.And to say he’s champing at the bit to exact his revenge on the undefeated Ukrainian would be an understatement.He said of the desert dust-up: “[I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.”December 21 is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I relish it, the chance to redeem myself GET UP.”December 21 is all me – undisputed heavyweight here I come.”Tyson Fury will bid to exact revenge on Oleksandr Usyk on December 21Credit: Getty More

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      ‘It’s a great fight’ declares Brit world champion as he calls out Deontay Wilder for bout in new weight category

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      DEONTAY WILDER has been challenged to a bridgerweight bust-up with a Brit world champion.The Bronze Bomber’s future at heavyweight is in limbo following four defeats in his last five outings, the most recent of which was a brutal sixth-round KO at the hands of Zheili Zhang.Deontay Wilder is currently on the worst run of his careerCredit: GETTYThe American is facing calls to retire following four losses in his last five fightsCredit: GETTYLawrence Okolie wants to welcome The Bronze Bomber to the bridgerweight divisionCredit: RexDespite his brutal and long reign as WBC king, fight fans have long thought the tall and wiry Wilder would be better suited to fighting at lighter weight.The recently formed bridgerweight division would be an ideal new home for the American should he try to breathe new life into his career.And WBC titleholder Lawrence Okolie would happily welcome him to the weight class, telling Betway: “I think it would be a great fightAnd he’ll always have what leaves people late and that’s his punching power and the name – Deontay Wilder.”READ MORE BOXING NEWSUnlike most of Wilder’s opponents, Okolie wants to feel the full force of Wilder’s cannon-like right hand.He continued: “If I’m boxing Wilder, no matter what I say, I’m going to be a little bit apprehensive and think, ‘Okay let’s see what his power is like’.”I think it’s a great fight.”Wilder’s run of form has, understandably, sparked calls for him to hang up his gloves.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDeontay Wilder’s defeat to Joseph Parker last December scuppered a two-fight series with Anthony JoshuaCredit: GETTYAJ is refusing to call for The Bronze Bomber to retireCredit: REUTERSThe most costly of those losses was last December’s defeat to Joseph Parker, which scuppered a two-fight series with long-time rival Anthony Joshua worth a whopping £100million.AJ, however, refuses to join the growing list of fighters telling the Alabama slammer to call it a day.Worrying new footage shows moment Deontay Wilder gets brutally KO’d by Zhilei Zhang while COMPLAINING to refereeThe former two-time unified heavyweight champion said: “Come again if you want, but he’s got his family and there’s a life outside of boxing for him.”I enjoy fighting in London, I enjoy fighting out here [Saudi Arabia], I enjoy fighting in America.”It’s a blessing, and it doesn’t last forever. “That’s why I say it with Wilder if he wants to go again, give it another crack.”But sooner or later, Father Time will catch up with you – with everyone.” More

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      Imane Khelif breaks silence after ‘naming Elon Musk & JK Rowling in cyberbullying lawsuit’ over boxing gender row

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      IMANE Khelif has broken her silence after reportedly naming Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuit.Khelif won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg boxing contest on Saturday after critics said her participation risked women’s safety.Imane Khelif has spoken for the first time since reportedly naming Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuitCredit: ReutersKhelif was at the centre of a ‘gender row’ controversy at the Olympics after being allowed to compete in women’s boxingCredit: GettyThe boxing champion is understood to have filed a criminal complaint to French authorities which alleges “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against the Algerian from famous figures such as Rowling and Musk.Harry Potter author Rowling slammed Khelif after her win over Italian boxer Angela Carini.Rowling accused Khelif of being a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head” after Carini left the bout in tears.Meanwhile, Twitter and Tesla owner Musk shared a post about Khelif claiming “men don’t belong in women’s sports”.Read More in BoxingNow, the 25-year-old Olympic champion has spoken out after a successful Olympics campaign shrouded in controversy.Khelif told El Birad: “Immediately after there was a big uproar from big politicians around the world, athletes around the world, and even artists and stars, Elon Musk, Trump.. this thing….. that affected me.”I am not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, hurt me a lot. I can’t describe to you the amount of fear I had.”The scenario was very scary. Thank god, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will,’ said the Algerian boxer.Most read in Boxing”Honestly, I don’t like to get into politics in sports, but they got into politics in sports. Sports and politics are two separate things. “These politicians who are oppressing me, they don’t have the right to say that I’m a transgender.”Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi previously told Variety: “JK Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others.”Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit’The Parisian lawyer added: “If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”The Algerian was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex.But just last year Khelif was thrown out of last year’s World Championships in India after failing an unspecified gender test.International Boxing Association officials said tests showed Khelif had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.However, the IBA has still not revealed which tests it used or published the results.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.But Khelif faced criticism on social media from a number of public figures saying she is male and should not be taking part.READ MORE SUN STORIESPossible repercussions for cyber-bullying offences in France are prison sentences ranging from two to five years and fines ranging from £26,000 to £39,000. If prosecuted as online hate speech, perpetrators could even be fined £64,000 to £214,000. More